Banana Pi’s new BPI-R4 is a 5G aggregation gateway built for edge networking. Designed to host multiple cellular modems, it supports OpenMPTCProuter and targets scenarios where wired internet is limited or unavailable.

The BPI-R4 is based on the MediaTek Filogic 880 (MT7988A) platform, a quad-core processor running at 2.0 GHz, similar to the original Banana Pi BPI-R4 launched in 2023. The board includes six M.2 Key B slots, each capable of housing a 4G or 5G modem. These slots are connected through USB 3.0 switches, which distribute the available USB bandwidth across the modems. While this results in bandwidth sharing, the system can still provide significant throughput depending on the modem performance and network conditions.

BPI-R4 For 5G Gateway Block Diagram
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Connectivity options include multiple 2.5GbE and 1.0GbE Ethernet ports, enabling the board to function as both a data aggregation point and a routing platform. The design also incorporates USB 3.0, USB Type-C, and several nano SIM slots for modem communication and peripheral expansion.

BPI-R4 For 5G Gateway Bottom View
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OpenMPTCProuter, which aggregates multiple internet connections using Multipath TCP, is supported by the BPI-R4. This allows users to combine several lower-bandwidth connections into a single logical stream, improving both speed and reliability.

BPI-R4 For 5G Gateway Top View
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Although the current BPI-R4 does not include PoE support, the Banana Pi team has confirmed a related product is in development. This upcoming variant will feature multiple 2.5G RJ45 ports with PoE PD functionality, making it more suitable for powering access points or mesh networking nodes through Ethernet.

Further Information

Banana Pi confirmed in mid-April that samples of the new BPI-R4 are now available, though the board has not yet officially launched. Developers and testers interested in early access can contact Banana Pi directly.